Mandy Lemaire, 11, was raped and murdered but suspect never faced retrial | Vanished in Alaska

Charles Smithart, who died while awaiting retrial for Mandy’s kidnap, rape and murder

Mandy Lemaire was just 11 when she was kidnapped in broad daylight before being raped and murdered in Tazlina, Alaska.

Two years later local resident Charles Smithart, whose truck was said to have been spotted near where Mandy’s body was found, was sentenced to 114 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder, sexual assault and kidnapping.

His conviction was reportedly helped by globules of iron found on Mandy’s clothing, which are only created in particular conditions like welding — something which Smithart engaged in.

Two blonde hairs matching Mandy’s were also said to have been found in his truck, while matching carpet fibers were reportedly found both on her clothing and in his truck.

It came about after they found his trial defence team had not been given enough leeway to point the finger at another man who was a key witness for the prosecution and was one of the people who said he saw Smithart’s truck near the scene following Mandy’s murder.